果醋对高脂小鼠血脂和肝脏脂质过氧化的影响

本文目的在于研究果醋对高脂小鼠血脂和肝脏脂质过氧化的影响。长期饲喂高脂饲料造成小鼠高血脂和肝脏脂质过氧化模型,预防性给予果醋,测定血清中总胆固醇（TC）,甘油三酯（TG）,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）的含量;测定肝脏中脂质过氧化终产物丙二醛（地A）的含量和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性。结果证明果醋可以明显降低高脂小鼠血清中TC,LDL含量和肝脏组织中MDA含量,提高肝脏组织SOD活性。     

霍山石斛胶囊对高脂血症大鼠血脂和脂质过氧化水平的影响

目的：探讨霍山石斛胶囊（Dendrobium huoshenese capsule,DHC）对高脂血症大鼠的血脂影响及脂质过氧化水平作用。方法：采用高脂饲料建立实验性高脂血症大鼠模型,而后进行低、中、高三种剂量的DHC和阳性对照药血脂康实验性治疗,实验8周后,取大鼠血清、肝脏,检测模型大鼠血清总固醇（Total cholesterol,TC）、甘油三酯（Triglyceride,TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（Low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL—C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（High density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL—C）含量,并计算动脉粥样硬化指数（Atherosclerosis index,AI）;同时测定血清和肝脏超氧化物歧化酶（Superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性及丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）含量;并计算肝系数,制备大鼠肝脏石蜡切片观察其病理学变化。结果：与高脂血症模型组相比,DHC中、高剂量组和血脂康组能显著降低高脂血大鼠血清TC、TG、LDL-C,升高HDL—C,表现为AI降低;低剂量的DHC能升高HDL—C,但在降低血清TC、TG、LDL．C和AI上无统计学差异（P〉0．05）;除DHC低剂量组对血清SOD活性升高作用不显著外（P〉0．05）,其他各浓度给药组均能显著升高血清和肝脏SOD活性,降低血清和肝脏MDA含量及肝系数（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;同时,DHC各给药组还可不同程度降低高脂血症大鼠肝细胞的脂肪变性程度。结论：霍山石斛胶囊能调节血脂代谢异常,增强抗氧化能力,具有防治脂肪肝和抗动脉粥样硬化作用。     

紫檀芪对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的影响

目的：研究紫檀芪对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的影响。方法：采用高糖高脂饮食结合小剂量链脲菌素构建2型糖尿病大鼠模型。将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、2型糖尿病组、紫檀芪低剂量组、紫檀芪中剂量组、紫檀芪高剂量组。干预7w后,检测大鼠血糖和血脂的变化,测定肾功能指标血尿素氮和血肌酐的含量及肾脏氧化应激水平,取肾脏组织做HE染色,观察大鼠肾组织病理学变化。结果：2型糖尿病组大鼠血糖、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL C）水平升高,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL C）水平降低;血尿素氮和血肌酐升高;肾脏组织的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性下降,丙二醛（MDA）水平升高;肾组织局部可见大量炎性细胞灶性浸润,炎症灶周围肾小管上皮细胞广泛水肿。紫檀芪干预后,血糖、TG、TC、LDL C水平降低;血尿素氮和血肌酐降低;肾脏组织的SOD活性升高,MDA水平下降;肾小球和肾小管病变减轻。结论：紫檀芪能够降低血糖和血脂、血尿素氮和血肌酐,改善肾脏的病理损伤,对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的损伤具有一定的治疗作用。     

芝麻素散剂调血脂作用研究

目的：观察芝麻素散剂对实验性高脂血症大鼠血脂的影响。方法：在给大鼠喂以高脂饲料的同时灌胃芝麻素散剂14天后测定血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL－C）水平。结果：芝麻素散剂明显抑制TC、LDL－C的升高。结论：芝麻素散剂对大鼠实验性高脂血症有显著的预防作用。     

螺内酯对单肾切除糖尿病大鼠肾脏保护作用研究

目的：研究螺内酯对单肾切除糖尿病SD大鼠的肾脏保护作用及机制。方法：48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为单肾切除对照组C组、单肾切除糖尿病模型组D组、单肾切除糖尿病螺内酯干预组S组（50mg/kg/day灌胃）。给药6周后观察各组大鼠生化指标改变,肾组织形态学改变,RT-PCR及Western Blot检测肾组织中HGF水平的变化。结果：给药6周后,D组与C组相比,血糖、24h尿蛋白定量、尿素氮、血肌酐和肾重/体重显著增高（P〈0.05）,螺内酯治疗后可降低糖尿病大鼠的24h尿蛋白定量和肾重/体重,但对其它指标无明显影响;形态学显示,D组与C组相比肾小球系膜区细胞外基质增多及系膜细胞增生,肾小球基底膜增厚,足细胞足突融合、消失;螺内酯治疗后上述病理改变均有不同程度的减轻;RT-PCT、Western Blot结果显示D组和S组HGF表达均增加（P〈0.05）,而D组HGF表达明显低于螺内酯治疗组。结论：螺内酯可能通过上调HGF的水平从而起到保护糖尿病大鼠肾脏作用。     

火麻仁油、藻油混合油软胶囊对高胆固醇血症动物模型血脂及脂质过氧化的影响

目的：探讨火麻仁油、藻油混合油软胶囊对高胆固醇血症大鼠血脂及脂质过氧化的影响。方法：50只大鼠随机分为5组,分别是空白对照组、模型对照组、火麻仁油藻油低剂量组（85mg/kg）、火麻仁油藻油中剂量组（170mg/kg）、火麻仁油藻油高剂量组（340mg/kg）,饲喂以高脂饲料及不同剂量火麻仁油藻油,测大鼠体重、脂肪,计算Lees指数、脂体比,检测血清中总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（HDL-C）,以及血清和肝脏中丙二醛（MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性。结果：与正常组相比,模型组大鼠体重、Lees指数、肾脂体比、睾脂体比、总脂体比显著增加（P＜0.01或P＜0.05）,TG、TC、LDL-C含量显著升高,HDL-C显著降低（P＜0.01或P＜0.05）,血清和肝脏中MDA显著升高,SOD显著降低（P＜0.01或P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,火麻仁油、藻油高、中剂量组大鼠体重、睾脂肪比、肾周脂肪比、总脂体比显著降低,TG、TC、LDL-C含量显著降低,HDL-C显著升高（P＜0.01或P＜0.05）,血清和肝脏中MDA含量显著降低,SOD活性升高（P＜0.01或P＜0.05）。结论：对于高胆固醇血症模型大鼠,中、高剂量火麻仁油、藻油混合油的摄入能够有效起到调节血脂、抑制脂质过氧化学作用。     

有氧运动与饮食控制对2型糖尿病大鼠肝chemerin及其受体CMKLR1的影响

目的：研究4周有氧运动与饮食控制对2型糖尿病（DM）大鼠肝chemerin及其受体趋化因子样受体1（CMKLR1）的影响及其在改善糖脂代谢中的影响。方法：50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（Con,n=6）和糖尿病造模组（n=44）。采用高脂高糖饲料联合小剂量链脲佐菌素（STZ）（30 mg/kg）的方法制备2型糖尿病模型大鼠。造模成功的DM大鼠随机分为4组（n=6）：糖尿病对照组（DM）、糖尿病运动组（EDM）、改喂普通饲料的糖尿病饮食控制组（NDM）和糖尿病运动+饮食控制组（ENDM）。运动组大鼠进行为期4周中等强度跑台有氧运动,每周运动6 d。采用罗氏血糖仪检测大鼠空腹血糖（FBG）,全自动生化分析仪检测大鼠血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）和低密度脂蛋白（LDL）水平,real time PCR和Western blot分别检测大鼠肝chemerin、CMKLR1的mRNA和蛋白水平。结果：DM大鼠FBG和血清TC、TG、LDL水平显著升高的同时,肝chemerin和CMKLR1的mRNA和蛋白水平显著增加;4周有氧运动和/或饮食控制显著降低EDM、NDM和ENDM组FBG和血清TC、TG、LDL的同时,显著降低这3组大鼠的肝chemerin蛋白水平,其中ENDM组降低最显著（P<0.01）;NDM和ENDM组大鼠的肝CMKLR1蛋白水平升高（P<0.01）。结论：4周有氧运动和/或饮食控制降低2型糖尿病大鼠的肝chemerin蛋白水平、增加CMKLR1蛋白水平,这可能与其改善糖尿病大鼠的糖脂代谢有关。     

NO对大鼠肢体缺血/再灌注后肾脏P-选择素表达的影响及意义

目的：探讨一氧化氮（NO）对大鼠LI／R后肾脏P-选择素表达的影响及意义。方法：采用本室常规方法复制大鼠LI／R模型。将大鼠随机分为四组：对照组,LI／R组,L—Arg组和L-NAME组。观察肢体缺血4h再灌注4h后各组动物血浆NO及肌酐（Cr）、尿素氮（BUN）的变化;观察肾组织NO、髓过氧化物酶（MPO）、总一氧化氮合酶（tNOS）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、结构型一氧化氮合酶（cNOS）的改变;测定尿蛋白含量、利用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法检测尿蛋白性质;免疫组织化学方法检测肾组织P-选择素（P—selectin）的蛋白表达,结合自动图象分析系统对其结果进行定量分析;肾组织切片经六氨银染色在光镜下观察其形态学改变。结果：与control组比较．LI／R组大鼠血浆NO、BUN、Cr均明显升高;肾组织MPO、NO、tNOS、iNOS均明显增加,而cNOS明显下降;尿蛋白含量增多,电泳显示,有大分子量蛋白排出;光镜下可见肾小管上皮细胞水肿,有炎细胞浸润：免疫组化结果显示：P-selectin蛋白表达明显较control组增强。与LI／R组相比,L-Arg组各项损伤指标明显减轻;肾组织P—selectin蛋白表达明显减弱;L-NAME组血浆和肾组织各项损伤指标明显加重;肾组织P—selectin蛋白表达明显增加。结论：大鼠LI／R后急性肾损伤的发生可能与P—selectin的表达有关;NO可能通过减弱P-selectin的表达及中性粒细胞的浸润,减轻LI／R后肾脏组织形态学及肾功能的损伤性变化。     

昆布（海带）对高脂血症大鼠血脂的调节作用和机制

目的：探讨昆布（海带）在实验性高脂血症大鼠中的降血脂作用和机制。方法：健康雌性Wistar大鼠40只,应用高脂饲料喂养方法建立高脂血症动物模型,海带粉饲料喂养干预治疗。生化法检测大鼠血清甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）和高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平。硫代巴比妥酸法和硝酸还原酶法分别检测脂质过氧化物丙二醛（MDA）和一氧化氮（NO）含量,黄嘌呤氧化酶法和化学比色法分别测定超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）活性。结果：经海带干预治疗后,动物血清TG、TC和LDL水平较模型组显著降低、HDL水平显著升高（P〈0.05）。治疗组动物血清和肝组织MDA和NO水平显著低于、而SOD和GSH-PX活性均显著高于模型组（P〈0.05）。结论：海带可能影响TG、TC、LDL和HDL等组分的代谢,通过增强抗氧化SOD和GSH-PX的活性,降低体内MDA和NO的水平,发挥调节血脂水平的作用。     

有氧运动同时补充玉米肽对肥胖大鼠脂肪分解关键酶的影响

目的：研究有氧运动同时补充玉米肽对高脂饮食诱导的肥胖大鼠减脂的作用及其与脂肪分解关键酶甘油三酯脂肪酶（ATGL）和脂蛋白酯酶（LPL）关系。方法：4周龄健康雄性SD大鼠150只,体重160~180 g,随机选取15只作为普通膳食不运动组,给予普通饲料喂养。剩余135只大鼠进行8周的高脂饲料喂养建立肥胖大鼠模型,以体重超过普通膳食不运动组大鼠平均体重的20%作为肥胖大鼠建模成功的标准。将建模成功的肥胖大鼠40只随机分为5组（n=8）：肥胖对照组、酪蛋白组、玉米肽组、运动组和运动+玉米肽组。除酪蛋白组、玉米肽组喂养自制饲料外,其余各组均用普通饲料喂养,运动组每天进行15 m/min,持续时间60 min的跑台运动,每周6天。4周运动和玉米肽干预后取血,检测大鼠血浆中TG、TC、HDL、LDL的含量;取大鼠肾周、附睾脂肪和肝,检测肾周和附睾脂肪的重量,Western blot检测大鼠肝ATGL、脂肪LPL的蛋白表达水平。结果：与肥胖对照组大鼠相比：①运动组、运动+玉米肽组大鼠的体重、附睾和肾周脂肪含量明显降低（P<0.05）,且运动+玉米肽组比运动组下降得更明显（P<0.05）,而其它组大鼠无显著差异。②运动组大鼠血浆TG显著降低,运动+玉米肽组的血浆TG、TC显著降低（P<0.05）,其它组大鼠的TG、TC无显著差异;血浆HDL和LDL各组间均无显著性差异。③运动组和运动+玉米肽组大鼠的肝ATGL、脂肪组织LPL的蛋白水平明显增加（P<0.01）,且运动+玉米肽组比运动组的更显著（P<0.05）;其他两组无显著差异。结论：有氧运动、有氧运动同时补充玉米肽都可以明显降低大鼠的体脂和血脂水平,且后者的作用更强,这可能与其更显著地增加肥胖大鼠肝ATGL和脂肪LPL的蛋白水平有关。而仅仅补充玉米肽不能降低大鼠的体脂和血脂水平。     

金樱子提取液对糖尿病肾病大鼠的肾脏保护作用

目的:研究金樱子提取液对糖尿病肾病(Diabetic Nephropathy,DN)大鼠的肾脏保护作用。方法:在高糖高脂饲料喂食SD(Sprague-Dawley)大白鼠的基础上腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)诱导糖尿病肾病大鼠模型,随机分为糖尿病肾病模型组(DN组)和金樱子治疗组(DN+RLM组),同时另设正常对照组(NC组)和金樱子对照组(NC+RLM组)。检测金樱子提取液对各组大鼠血糖(fasting blood-glucose,FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(glycosylated haemoglobin,GHb)、24小时尿微量白蛋白和尿量、血尿素氮(BUN)、血肌酐(Scr)、胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)及肾脏结构的影响。结果:与DN大鼠相比,糖尿病肾病大鼠经金樱子提取液治疗后,大鼠FBG、GHb水平、24 h尿微量白蛋白、24 h尿量、肾脏指数明显降低,血脂紊乱、肾功能损害以及DN肾脏病理明显改善,且无明显副作用。结论:金樱子提取液可明显降低DN大鼠血糖,改善DN大鼠血脂、肾功能紊乱及肾脏病理变化,对糖尿病大鼠肾脏具有较强的保护作用。     

水母雪莲细胞培养物调血脂作用的初步研究

为研究水母雪莲细胞培养物对高脂大鼠的调血脂作用,将雄性SD大鼠分为4组：正常对照组(A组)、高脂模型组(B组)、高剂量组(C组)和低剂量组(D组)。A组喂基础饲料,B组喂高脂饲料,C组喂高脂饲料的同时饲以大剂量水母雪莲细胞培养物,D组喂高脂饲料的同时饲以小剂量水母雪莲细胞培养物。给药1/d,3周后采血,测定血脂水平及肝肾功能。C组较B组各项血脂指标均有改善,各组间肝肾功能未见显性差异。初步研究表明,水母雪莲细胞培养物对高脂大鼠具有调血脂的作用。本实验用药剂量安全。     

Production of γ-linolenic acid by Mortierella isabellina grown on hexadecanol

AIMS: To optimize the production of linolenic acid by Mortierella isabellina grown on hexadecanol. METHODS AND RESULTS: Effects of culture conditions such as culture time, pH of medium, hexadecanol concentration, incubation temperature and ageing of mycelia on production of linolenic acid were studied. The production of gamma-linolenic acid reached 2.44 mg ml-1 (271 mg g-1 dry cells) when Mortierella isabellina was cultivated in a medium consisting of 2% hexadecanol and 1% yeast extract at 23 degrees C for 120 h and then the mycelia, after removal of medium by suction filtration, were allowed to stand for a further 15 d at 5 degrees C. CONCLUSION: Ageing of mycelia and incubation temperature showed predominant effects on the increased linolenic acid production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study highlights effective conditions for increasing linolenic acid production by Mortierella isabellina grown on hexadecanol.     

The effect of dietary vitamin E and beta-carotene on oxidation processes in the rat testis

The effects of dietary vitamin E and beta-carotene were studied on enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and other related enzymes in the rat testis. Groups of rats were fed various soybean oil-based semi purified diets. Group 1 was fed a vitamin E-supplemented diet (+E - beta); Group 2 was fed a beta-carotene-supplemented diet (-E + beta); Group 3, the control group (-E - beta) was fed a vitamin E-deficient diet; and Group 4, the standard diet group (S), was fed vitamin E plus beta-carotene-standard diet. Soybean oxidized oil was added to the three diet groups - (+E - beta), (- E + beta) and (- E - beta), whereas the diet of S group contained non-oxidized oil. After 8 weeks rats were killed, blood and testis samples were collected for biochemical determinations. Vitamin E deficiency caused significant increase in testis thiobarbituric acid value and activities of testis NADPH oxidase, testis 15-lipoxygenase and in plasma pyruvate kinase. In contrast, significant decreases were observed in activity of testis prostaglandin synthetase, compared with antioxidant-supplemented diet groups. We also found a significant increase in 15-lipoxygenase activity in (- E + beta) diet group, compared with (- E - beta) diet group. Fatty acid analysis of testis parenchyma indicated decrease in palmitate (16:0) and arachidonate (20:4(n - 6)), and increase in oleate (18:1(n-6)) linoleate (18:2(n - 6)) and linolenate (18:3(n - 3)), when compared (-E - beta) diet group with vitamin E-supplemented diet groups. The results suggest that dietary vitamin E has a role in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the testis.     

RvD1对大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛的作用及机制研究

目的：采用2型糖尿病神经病理性痛大鼠,探讨其脊髓背角小胶质细胞极化情况以及消退素D1（RvD1）缓解大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛的机制。方法：雄性SD大鼠高糖高脂饲养,腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）,制备大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛模型。将2型糖尿病神经病理性痛大鼠随机分为3组（n=36）：2型糖尿病神经病理性痛组（D组）、2型糖尿病神经病理性痛注射RvD1组（R组）和溶剂对照组（S组）。R、S组分别于注射STZ 14 d后蛛网膜下腔置管,3 d后R、S组分别给予RvD1 10μl（10 ng/μl）和100%乙醇10μl,每天1次,连续14 d,D组不做任何处理。另取36只正常大鼠为正常对照组（N组）,普通饲料喂养。鞘内给药后第1、3、7、14天时测定机械缩足阈值（MWT）和热缩足潜伏期（TWL）,各组随机取9只大鼠处死,取L4-6脊髓膨大,采用Western blot法检测小胶质细胞M1、M2型极化标记物,即诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、精氨酸酶1（Arg1）的表达。结果：与N组比较,D、S组第1、3、7、14天时MWT降低、TWL缩短,脊髓背角Arg1表达减少,iNOS表达增多（P < 0.05）;与D组比较,R组第7、14天时MWT升高、TWL延长,脊髓背角Arg1表达增多,iNOS表达减少（P < 0.05）;D组与S组各指标比较差异无统计学意义。结论：RvD1促进小胶质细胞M2型极化并缓解大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛。     

Effect of sibutramine on regional fat pads and leptin levels in rats fed with three isocaloric diets

AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate: a) the differential effect of the three main macronutrients on food intake, fat depots and serum leptin levels and b) the impact of sibutramine on the above parameters in rats fed ad libitum with three isocaloric diets. METHODS: Three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 63) were fed with a high fat diet (HFD), a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) or a high protein diet (HPD) for 13 weeks. In the last three weeks, each group was divided into three subgroups and received sibutramine (S) either at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, or vehicle. Food intake was measured daily during the last week of the experiment; perirenal and epididymal fat and fat/lean ratio were calculated and serum leptin was assayed. RESULTS: HFD-fed rats demonstrated elevated food intake and higher regional fat depots. S at 10 mg/kg decreased food intake in the HFD and epididymal fat in the HCD group. S also reduced perirenal fat in the HCD and HPD groups. Leptin levels were higher in rats fed with either the HFD or the HPD compared to those fed with the HCD. Moreover, S at 10 mg/kg decreased serum leptin levels in the HPD group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a preferential effect of S on perirenal visceral fat and support the view that body fat loss is greater when its administration is accompanied by a HCD diet. No effect of S on leptin levels was found, besides that expected as a result of the decrease in body fat.     

Effects of vitamin K2 administration on calcium balance and bone mass in young rats fed normal or low calcium diet

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin K2 administration on calcium balance and bone mass in young rats fed a normal or low calcium diet. METHODS: Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 weeks of age, were randomized by stratified weight method into four groups with 10 rats in each group: 0.5% (normal) calcium diet, 0.1% (low) calcium diet, 0.5% calcium diet + vitamin K2 (menatetrenone, 30 mg/100 g chow diet), and 0.1% calcium diet + vitamin K2. After 10 weeks of feeding, serum calcium and calciotropic hormone levels were measured, and intestinal calcium absorption and renal calcium reabsorption were evaluated. Bone histomorphometric analyses were performed on cortical bone of the tibial shaft and cancellous bone of the proximal tibia. RESULTS: Feeding a low calcium diet induced hypocalcemia, increased serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels with decreased serum 25-hydrovyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level, stimulated intestinal calcium absorption and renal calcium reabsorption, and reduced cortical bone mass as a result of decreased periosteal bone gain and enlarged marrow cavity, but did not significantly influence cancellous bone mass. Vitamin K2 administration in rats fed a low calcium diet stimulated renal calcium reabsorption, retarded the abnormal elevation of serum PTH level, increased cancellous bone mass, and retarded cortical bone loss, while vitamin K2 administration in rats fed a normal calcium diet stimulated intestinal calcium absorption by increasing serum 1,25(OH)2D level, and increased cortical bone mass. CONCLUSION: This study clearly shows the differential response of calcium balance and bone mass to vitamin K2 administration in rats fed a normal or low calcium diet.     

Dietary supplementation with ovine serum immunoglobulin attenuates acute effects on growth, organ weights, gut morphology and intestinal mucin production in the growing rat challenged with Salmonella enteritidis

The aim was to determine the effect of orally administered ovine serum immunoglobulin (Ig) on growth performance, organ weight, gut morphology and mucin production in the Salmonella enteritidis--gavaged growing rat. Four groups consisted of non-gavaged rats fed a casein-based control basal diet (BD) and three groups of rats gavaged with 1×10(7) CFU S. enteritidis and fed a casein-based diet, a diet containing freeze-dried ovine Ig (FDOI) or a casein-based diet containing inactivated ovine Ig (IOI). The rats were randomly allocated to one of the four groups (n=15/group) and received their respective diets for an 18-day experimental study. Gavaging took place on day 15. Average daily gain and body gain : feed ratio (post-gavage, 3 days) were significantly (P<0.05) higher for the Salmonella-challenged rats fed the FDOI diet compared to those fed the BD and IOI diets. At the end of the study, the small intestine and colon were significantly (P<0.05) heavier for the gavaged rats fed the FDOI diet compared to the gavaged rats fed either the BD or IOI diet. Moreover, the relative weights of the caecum, liver and spleen of the gavaged rats fed the BD or IOI diet were significantly (P<0.05) heavier compared to the gavaged rats fed the FDOI diet. Generally, the gavaged rats fed the FDOI diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher goblet cell counts and luminal mucin protein contents than the gavaged rats fed either the BD or IOI diet and had a more functional gut morphology. Overall, the FDOI fraction prevented the acute effects of S. enteritidis.     

T4 metabolism in age matched heavy and light rats with good and bad feed efficiency following high- or low-in-fat diet

Rats, fed two diets (high or low in fat content), were at the and of the feeding-period separated in light and in heavy animal groups. The leaner rats from the diet group high in fat content show opposite to the heavier animals of this diet group significantly increased T4 distribution spaces, significantly shortened T4 half life time and lower feed efficiency. T4 serum values, absolute T4 degradation per day and body mass and free thyroxine index in these leaner rats also increased significantly. However comparing heavy rats feed a diet low and light rats fed a diet high in rat content the latter show also a decreased feed efficiency, but no differences in T4 serum concentration or T3 binding capacity of serum proteins, free thyroxine index and T4 degradation. The results in T4 metabolism are discussed in relation to feed efficiency of the investigated animal groups.     

Resistant starch reduces colonic and urinary p-cresol in rats fed a tyrosine-supplemented diet,whereas konjac mannan does not

The effect of resistant starch (RS) and konjac mannan (KM) to maintain and improve the large intestinal environment was compared. Wistar SPF rats were fed the following diets for 4 weeks: negative control diet (C diet), tyrosine-supplemented positive control diet (T diet), and luminacoid supplemented diets containing either high-molecular konjac mannan A (KMAT diet), low-molecular konjac mannan B (KMBT diet), high-amylose cornstarch (HAST diet), or heat-moisture-treated starch (HMTST diet). The luminacoid-fed group had an increased content of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum. HAS caused a significant decrease in p-cresol content in the cecum, whereas KM did not. Urinary p-cresol was reduced in the HAST group compared with the T group, but not the KM fed groups. Deterioration in the large intestinal environment was only improved completely in the HAST and HMTST groups, suggesting that RS is considerably more effective than KM in maintaining the large intestinal environment.